"111 Cases of COVID-19 Re-Positivity"... Mandatory Quarantine Unlikely After Release (Update)

Central Disease Control Headquarters for COVID-19 "111 Cases Reported of Re-Positive After Isolation Release"
Confirmed Patients to Have Strengthened Monitoring After Isolation Release... No Mandatory Additional Isolation or Diagnostic Tests Expected

On the 6th, medical staff at Daegu Dongsan Hospital are being deployed to work in the negative pressure ward for the treatment of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] As cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing positive again after being released from isolation due to recovery are increasing, the quarantine authorities announced on the 12th that they are considering strengthening monitoring after isolation release. Unlike some countries such as China, which mandate self-quarantine or diagnostic testing after release, it is expected that monitoring will primarily focus on close observation and restrictions will be applied only if symptoms reappear.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters for COVID-19, as of 0:00 this morning, a total of 111 cases of re-positivity after isolation release have been recorded. Under the current guidelines of the quarantine authorities, symptomatic patients must test negative twice at 24-hour intervals on PCR tests that detect whether the virus remains in the body after clinical symptoms such as fever have improved. For asymptomatic patients, PCR tests are conducted twice at 24-hour intervals on the 7th day after confirmation; if both tests are negative, isolation is lifted, but if positive, another test is conducted after 7 days to determine whether isolation can be lifted. If the test is still positive, medical staff will reschedule testing cycles and require a negative result to lift isolation.

The number of re-positive patients continues to rise. Following 95 cases confirmed until the previous day, 6 additional cases were identified today. The quarantine authorities have not yet clearly determined whether these cases are due to reinfection because sufficient antibody formation did not occur after confirmation, or if the virus that had decreased in the body has reactivated.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

Director Jeong Eun-kyung said at a briefing today, "Currently, joint investigations are being conducted by epidemiological investigation teams and city/provincial investigation teams to identify the cause," adding, "We are examining whether the virus has reactivated or if reinfection has occurred, and if confirmed as re-positive, whether there is infectiousness or if it causes secondary transmission."

The authorities are reviewing guidelines to strengthen monitoring of patients released from isolation as the number of re-positive cases increases. They are discussing with experts the possibility of maintaining self-quarantine for a certain period even after isolation release. Director Jeong explained, "We recommend self-quarantine in accordance with self-quarantine guidelines after isolation release, provide clear health education, and have public health centers check for symptom occurrence so that patients can report immediately if symptoms develop."

She added, "There are differing opinions among experts regarding the necessity of mandatory extension of self-quarantine," and explained, "For now, we will supplement the guidelines by reflecting health education, recommendations equivalent to self-quarantine, monitoring and testing of symptomatic patients."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.